Demographics of 10-20-Life Felons

Current Age of Inmates Under 10-20-Life

Sentencing under the 10-20-Life law suggests differences among felons in the way gun-related crime occurs according to age group.

CURRENT AGE

MAXIMUM MANDATORY SENTENCE

TOTAL

3 YR

10 YR

20 YR

25 YR-LIFE

LIFE

Less than 18

2

13

2

2

0

19

18-24

212

701

66

103

17

1,099

25-34

597

842

117

165

34

1,755

35-49

371

300

46

75

19

811

50-59

65

45

12

28

6

156

60+

14

8

5

18

2

47

TOTAL

1,261

1,909

248

391

78

3,887

Of felons who received any 10-20-Life sentence, only 19 are under the age of 18.

Of felons whose longest 10-20-Life sentence was for using a gun in a crime, 33.8% are between ages 18 and 24, 44.1% are between ages 25 and 34, and 16.8% are between ages 35 and 49.

Of felons whose longest 10-20-Life sentence was for felon possessing a gun, 47.3% are between ages 25 and 34, 16.8% are between ages 18 and 24, and 29.4% are between ages 35 and 49.

Of 10-20-Life felons sentenced for using a gun in a crime, only 23.5% of those under age 18 fired the gun, whereas 37.4% of those age 35 or older did.

Of 10-20-Life felons ages 18 to 24, most (76.8%) displayed the gun during the crime, whereas about one-fourth (23.2%) were convicted as felons possessing a gun.

Older 10-20-Life felons are more likely to be convicted as felons possessing a gun as compared with displaying the gun: 59.8% of those ages 50 and above, and 55.3% of those ages 35 to 49. However, because this charge depends on having a prior felony conviction, this may simply be the result of older felons being more likely to have a prior felony.